I had believed in Majola's 'white mafia' theory: Nyoka

Former Cricket South Africa President Mtutuzeli Nyoka admitted to having been so blinded by loyalty to his childhood friend Gerald Majola that he unquestioningly accepted everything that the CSA chief executive told him.

Johannesburg: Former Cricket South Africa President Mtutuzeli Nyoka admitted to having been so blinded by loyalty to his childhood friend Gerald Majola that he unquestioningly accepted everything that the CSA chief executive told him, including a theory that a "white mafia" was trying to get him out.

Mtutuzeli told the inquiry into the financial affairs of CSA, initiated by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, that he was "shocked" when former Board audit committee member Colin Beggs told him about the alleged transgressions in respect of huge IPL bonuses paid to Majola and other CSA executives.

The IPL II was played in South Africa two years ago due to security concerns because of general elections at that time in India.

"I just could not believe that what (Beggs) was saying was true because Gerald (Majola) had listened to me and seen me do harsh things to people in his defence and he said absolutely nothing," Nyoka said.

"I was in a state of conflict because I was being confronted with facts and I had this friendship and loyalty to Gerald," he said.

Nyoka said he sought guidance from Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli, a mutual friend of Majola and himself, whose advice was to serve the interests of CSA above his relationship with Majola.

"I asked Gerald: 'After everything that I've done; defending you against all comers; taking you to the Minister of Sport; why did you not share with the person who was prepared to put his body on the line for you, the fact that you are sitting on R2m?'"

Nyoka said Majola's response in the presence of five people had been that he had never declared his bonuses to any CSA president in the past and would not do so to Nyoka either. Text: PTI